Tottenham Hotspur are to ask supporters if they want to stop chanting “Yid” in
matches, after the Football Association said those using the term could be
prosecuted.

The north London club, which has a large Jewish following, has faced anti-semitic abuse from opposition fans and Spurs supporters regularly chant “Yid Army” or “Yiddo” as an act of defiance.

Last week the FA said use of the word was “derogatory and offensive” and could amount to a criminal offence, but this did not stop fans at White Hart Lane singing “Yid Army” in their 2-0 victory over Norwich City on Saturday.

Darren Alexander, chairman of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, said the club will be sending out a questionnaire to gauge the mood on the terraces.

“There is a document that Spurs will be sending out to season-ticket holders in due course," Alexander said.

“It’s a questionnaire, and basically what the club want to ascertain is do the fans think now is the right time to stop using this identity.

“If that comes back and a clear majority of fans think, ‘yes, now is the time’, then we move forward and we will work actively with the club if they want us to.”

The FA’s intervention last Monday prompted a fierce response from Spurs supporters, who insist they should be the ones to decide whether it is time to end the chants.

“If Spurs fans genuinely are going to stop using this word then it should be our decision,” Alexander added.

“We sincerely believe that no Spurs fan ever uses the Y-word or shouts ‘Yid Army’ in an effort to offend anyone.”

It took some sections of White Hart Lane just a few minutes to sing “Yid Army” and “We’re Tottenham Hotspur, we’ll sing what we want” on Saturday.

The same happened last season after Peter Herbert, the head of the Society of Black Lawyers, threatened to report anyone using the phrase to the police.

When prized debutant Christian Eriksen was substituted in the second half against Norwich, fans also chanted “Yiddo”.

Alexander went on: “There was a degree of defiance on Saturday and that was always going to happen with the way that the FA has gone about this.

“There is always going to be the idea among the fans that they are picking on us and that is why that act of defiance happened.

“I know it is offensive to some Jewish people, but our focus is the legality of what the FA has announced this week. As far as we are concerned and as far as the police are concerned, unless there is an intent to offend, then you can't be prosecuted.”